Gresford, Up From Underground

Gresffordd, I’r Goleuni ‘Nawr

But here's a wonder for you, the biggest of them all,
how could our mine disaster have gone beyond recall.

It's the story of injustice the world has never heard.
It should have been remembered, should have been a household word.

Gresford, Up From Underground is without doubt the most ambitious work I have composed to date. It is a dramatic retelling of the Gresford Mining Disaster, one of the worst coal mining disasters in UK history.

The explosion in 1934 devastated the local community of Gresford and left emotional and physical scars on the surrounding area of Wrexham for generations.

Sunday 22nd September 2024 marked 90 years since the fateful disaster at the Gresford Colliery, one of the worst mining disasters in British history that claimed the lives 266 colliers.

As with all historic events there is a risk that memory of it fades as the people who experienced first hand become fewer over time.

The purpose of the Opera is to guarantee that the story of Gresford is never forgotten. The themes explored in the opera resonate now just as much as they did at the time of the disaster.

Feelings of despair, loss and injustice evolve into sentiments of resilience, determination, and finally resurgence, qualities that can be seen in the people of Wrexham and former mining communities across the UK.

Gresford, Up From Underground was commissioned by NEW Sinfonia and the North Wales International Music Festival. The first performances took place at St Asaph Cathedral and St Giles' Church, Wrexham in September 2024 to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Gresford Mining Disaster.

Music by Jon Guy | Libretto by Grahame Davies

NEW Voices Community Choir singing at the premiere of the Opera in St Giles Church Wrexham.

You’ve heard of the Gresford Disaster and the terrible price that was paid.

Two hundred and sixty three colliers were lost, and three of the rescue brigade.

Gresford Miners carrying their Davy Lamps as they descend into the pit.

Down in the dark the light is burning low,

light of the last hour we will ever know.

Farewell our dear men and our children,
Farewell our dear comrades as well.

Survivors of the disaster tell the tale of injustice in the aftermath of the disaster.

Rescue Crews rush to the mine to try and save their comrades.

An obituary to the fallen, telling of how they were cheerful, mischievous and courageous men who went to Gresford.

Don’t send your sons down the dark, dreary pit.

They’ll be damned like the sinners in hell.

Gwyr a aeth Gresffordd oedd ffraeth eu llu.

Pêl-droed oedd drannoeth - ond diwedd fu.

Gwyneth tries to reach for Robert who appears to her beyond the veil.

Some places don’t get noticed

Some people don’t get seen.

No matter what I feel. No matter what I say.

I’m never coming up. I’ll never see the day.

Ond ni waeth ein hanwybyddu.

Does dim cadw ni dan droed,
tref y ffin ydym erioed.

The people of Gresford emerge resurgent up from underground, ready for the fight!

The miners beseech their descendants to live their lives well, like they would have done if they'd had the chance.